Ex Cathedra presents 'Songs of Protest ' for Remembrance Sunday
Birmingham 's choir Ex Cathedra is to mark Remembrance Sunday with a concert of music that puts the case for peace, political freedom, compassion for fellow human beings and the fight against torture.
Directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, 'Songs of Protest ' at Town Hall Birmingham on Sunday 13 November, includes the world premieres of Sally Beamish 's A Knock on the Door, and Alec Roth 's The Peace of the Night.
A major new work by Beamish, A Knock on the Door takes a brand new text by Peter Thomson that considers the complex relationship between captive and torturer and the profound impact on both.
Sally Beamish (pictured) said: “An important factor was to emphasise that torture causes deep and lasting damage both to the victim and to the perpetrator, and that all humans are vulnerable to finding themselves in circumstances where they might become either victim or oppressor. ”
John McCarthy said: “I think A Knock on the Door is truly powerful. The interplay between the two choirs really does create the horrible tension between victim and torturer, and the detail of what happens in torture chambers - a very vivid picture drawn with, in fact, very few words. ”
Also receiving its world premiere in the concert is The Peace of the Night, Alec Roth 's latest work in a collaboration as Ex Cathedra 's composer in residence. The Peace of the Night previews a project with German group Ensemble Nobiles who are commissioning a series of pieces ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Jeffrey Skidmore, founder and artistic director of Ex Cathedra said: “The themes of all the works in this concert are serious but they are also aspirational in beauty and optimism.
“Music expresses our deepest thoughts and has the power to change the way we think. Songs of Protest puts the case for peace, political freedom, compassion for our fellow human beings and the fight against torture. ”
In a free pre-concert performance at 3pm - 'Songs of Protest and Hope ' - Ex Cathedra 's Academy of Vocal Music youth choirs will perform an excerpt from Cecilia McDowall 's A Girl from Aleppo and a selection of their own compositions. All are welcome.
Ex Cathedra with soloists Imogen Russell (soprano) and Lawrence White (baritone), are joined by Backbeat Percussion Quartet for Songs of Protest at Town Hall Birmingham on Sunday 13 November (4pm). Free pre-concert performance by Ex Cathedra 's Academy of Vocal Music at 3pm. Tickets can be bought from www.excathedra.co.uk